Quality control and laboratories

General lighting in factory buildings and laboratories is often not enough to determine the quality of goods in production or testing. The lighting therefore needs to be tailored to the products being inspected – their surface structure, colour, reflections, size and the time taken to inspect them.

Diffuse, uniform and shadow-free light is perfect for inspecting matt, shiny or transparent objects, whereas directional light from one or more angles creates modelling shadows and makes it easier to identify scratches or cracks on surface structures. The former can be achieved by using pendant or surface-mounted luminaires at a distance from the work area to secure a high uniformity. The latter can be done with an arm-based task light or luminaires positioned closer to the inspection area. Luminaires with higher colour rendering may be required for colour comparisons.

For the quality control inspection of tiny objects such as circuit board components, magnifying luminaires are the best option. Arm-based magnifiers with square-shaped lenses can switch the light on from both sides of the item being examined and cast modelling light, making the components stand out and errors easier to identify. In the electronics industry, ESD luminaires prevent electrostatic discharges from damaging the goods.

 

Lighting requirements in EN 12464-1

For chemical industry and textile manufacture and processing

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Colour inspection	1 000	1500	19	0,70	90	150	150	100	4000 K ≤ CCT ≤ 6500 K
Cutting, finishing, inspection	750	1000	19	0,70	80	150	150	100

 

For food industry

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Laboratories	500	750	19	0,60	80	150	150	100

 

For electrical and electronics industry

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Electronic workshops, testing, adjusting	1 500	2000	16	0,70	80	150	150	100

 

For metal working and processing

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Scribing: inspection	750	1000	19	0,70	80	150	150	100

 

For wood working and processing

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Quality control, inspection	1 000	1500	19	0,70	90	150	150	100	4000 K ≤ CCT ≤ 6500 K

 

For vehicle construction and repair

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Final inspection	1 000	1500	19	0,70	90	150	150	30

 

For rolling mills, iron and steel works

Type of task / activity area	Lux-level (Em)		Glare rating (UGRL)	Uniformity (U0)	Colour rendition (Ra)	Em,z	Em,wall	Em,ceiling	Specific requirements
	required	modified				U0 ≥ 0,10
Test, measurement and inspection	500	750	22	0,60	80	150	150	100